Thursday, February 2, 2017

When it comes to volunteering, we tend to lean toward causes that reflect our passions in life. So as an author, encouraging and promoting literacy is very near and dear to me. This Spring marks the 4th year I've been involved with the Sedalia Area Literacy Council and their annual tea and auction. Even though I no longer live in Sedalia, it's still my hometown, and I can't imagine not being a part of this amazing group of ladies who do so much to promote literacy in the community.

I'll admit, when I first signed up, all I really knew about the SALC was that they delivered nursery rhyme books to newborns at Bothwell Regional Hospital. After attending my first council meeting, I discovered that they also issue grants to local grade schools and high schools for books and reading tablets. They deliver free books to the community cafe, a local meal program for families in need. They even issue scholarship vouchers to help those seeking their GED (now known as the HSE test as SFCC). There are grant requests discussed and approved at every monthly meeting, and they all aim at improving literacy in the community. It's a worthy cause that I'm proud to be a part of.

The SALC manages to accomplish their goals with one fundraiser a year: the annual tea and auction. It's so much fun! And the whole community gets involved. We collect donations from local businesses in the form of gift cards and merchandise--or in cases where there is no merchandise, like a real estate or insurance office, the owners get creative and put together themed gift baskets, often with a book. There are handcrafted items and antiques, toy trunks full of games and camping gear, pieces of art by local artists, and so much more. You can take a peek at some of the baskets from last year by clicking HERE.

A really unique item being auctioned off this year is this adorable kitchen play-set.

A few local authors, including myself, put together baskets with signed books.This year, I'm trying something new. I'm inviting YOU to send a book donation. It's a great way to reach new readers, and all proceeds go toward literacy programs. Win-win. : ) Everyone who donates is also featured in the printed programs for the tea.

If you'd like to send an ebook, I'm putting together a basket with a tablet and a thumb drive. I'd be happy to include your ebook in the lot. (please send your ebook file to adroquet@gmail.com) Signed print books are welcome too, as well as any swag (bookmarks, etc.) you'd like to contribute. You're also welcome to put together your own themed basket, otherwise I'll group titles according to genre, add something fun like a coffee mug or chocolate, and make everything look pretty in a basket. (print books can be sent to Angela Roquet, P.O. Box 1802, Lake Ozark, MO 65049)

The deadline for sending in donations is March 20th. After that, we begin cataloging things and dividing them up between the silent and live auction before typing up the program. Also, one small note of caution: This event takes place in a church gymnasium and children are present, so please save books with X-rated covers for another event. ; ) Thank you. ♥

If you're local or nearby and interested in checking out the live event, tickets are $5 at the door, and they'll be available by the end of this month for early purchase at Boonslick Regional Library in Sedalia, MO and at Sedalia Reader's World.

Snacks and beverages are provided at the event. There is a live and a silent auction, door prizes, and we'll also be selling some other fun goodies like these super cute kitchen boas, modeled by Betty Albrecht, the SALC's amazing president!